http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/..._20010701.html

 

What did you want to show us? That there was no traffic on LA freeway in 1954? Or you want us to search out the hidden p-car content in this picture?

 

Thanks, Robin. I was wondering if anyone would spot it.

 

That's my dad's car right in front of it! An early fifties Ford sedan with three-on-the-column! I learned to drive in that car, a real chick magnet. (yeah right!)

 

Three-on-the-column? That's not cool. Cool is three-on-the-tree!

 

Man, LA must have been a great place back then. No congestion - automotive or atmospheric.

 

Well Anir, the reality was that there was smog. As a kid I had asthma and the doc's had my mom take me out to Silverado Canyon in Orange County, which in those days was a looong way from LA! We used the Pacific cars to get out to Orange County and family friends. They figured to take me out of the smoggy air as my Grandmother's traditional Irish cure of a spoonful of whiskey and honey was insufficient as to a cure.

In those days most of the beaches still had oil seepages which were naturally occuring. Oil would seep from the ground and blob up on the beach for you to step on. I say oil but it was very thick stuff, one might call it tar.

Richard Henry Dana in his "Two Years Before the Mast" writes about the early California ladies hemming thier dresses with "pitch" from these seepages.

But, the beaches were wide open and one could go just about anywhere and toss a sleeping bag on the ground. Or, just pull into the open areas around and bed down.

So there were pleasant things about!

 

Hey Garey,

I can relate. I grew up in Texas, and the beaches off Galveston and South Padre Island had plenty of oil as well - although it was anything but natural in our case.

California is great in so many respects - weather, geography, dining, ... However, you could argue that nowadays, LA defines "living in the fast lane while driving in the slow one". I enjoy San Diego and SF more on visits.